Modern state of NIL has Colorado football reporter hopeful Buffs can land Julian Lewis

On SI's Mark McIntosh spoke with confidence about the Colorado football program's chances of selling a top high school quarterback on making NIL millions and being fast-tracked to the NFL, following Shedeur Sanders' footsteps.

McIntosh mentioned Carrollton QB Julian Lewis by name.

"It seems the Buffs could be poised to have a chance to change that reputation of being a wasteland when developing NFL quarterbacks," McIntosh prefaced before asking, "Why? Well, let’s start with the carrot of enticing a young man with the possibility of making $4-million a year calling signals at the foot of the Flatirons? Deion 'Coach Prime' Sanders can recruit.

"I would suspect the silver-tongued older Sanders is whispering into many a talented quarterback's ear, “The job is open next year. Come to Boulder, make great money and we’ll prepare you to move on to a successful NFL career.” Maybe five-star Julian Lewis? That message could be spread through the prep world and, since it’s okay to poach these days, quarterbacks who want to take the money and run toward fortune and fame. That’s the way it works these days."

Shedeur Sanders only wants Julian Lewis to succeed him as Colorado football QB

Shedeur offered his two cents on the subject of his replacement under center at CU: he only wants Lewis to take the baton as the engine that powers the Buffs' offense.

"You know, Julian coming, he may be able to take over the reins, but I wouldn't be mad at that," Sanders told BuffsBeat's Kris Miller. "Whoever is the next quarterback, it should be Julian, but he'll be like his new son."

"It should be Julian." Said differently, it shouldn't be anyone else.

Being all in on one QB may be what CU Boulder has to do to get a top target, but the city is certainly doing its part. If it backfires? Ryan Staub could be ready to take the reins in 2025 if he continues to get a hang of Pat Shurmur's offense.